Hokkaido University Research Profiles

Japanese
Human and Social Sciences

Modern and Contemporary Economic History of Hokkaido

Mainly in central Hokkaido

The term “Hokkaido economy” is still associated with “backwardness” and “primary industry.” However, if we look at the history of Hokkaido in modern times, we can see remarkable progress in urban development, which has undergone an expansion and transformation unparalleled in Japanese economic history, especially in Sapporo and the central part of Hokkaido.

Content of research

Since Hokkaido is an island, new ports have continuously been built and port cities developed, and the central ports have changed with the times. It is said that Hakodate and Otaru were the two largest commercial centers in Hokkaido during the Meiji era (1868-1912), followed by the rapid growth of Muroran and Kushiro during the wartime period. After the war, the port of Tomakomai was opened, and in 1982, the Ishikari Bay New Port was opened. All of these were planned during the war but actually constructed after the war. With the centralization of Sapporo, port functions became centralized in Tomakomai. Although Otaru is still alive and well as a tourist city, the Ishikari Bay New Port has surpassed Otaru as far as port functions are concerned. These changes in the major ports are backed by transformation of Hokkaido’s industries. We are researching the economic history, which is of the island of Hokkaido from the perspectives of logistics and industries, particularly on how it is related to the present.

  • Initially, the plan was to separately allocate foreign trade to Otaru and domestic imports and exports to Ishikari Bay New Port. However, it was decided to reinforce the foreign trade function of Ishikari Bay New Port during revision of the port planning in 1997, and ocean-going vessels became larger year by year. In 2001, the scale of Ishikari Bay New Port finally exceeded that of Otaru.
    Exports from Ishikari Bay New Port are mostly special products such as scrap metal, while main imports are ballast products (rough cargo) such as petroleum products, raw wood, and lumber.

Potential for social implementation

  • The following data and statistics are related to the facts of the past economic history.
  • ・Location of Factories in the greater Sapporo area
  • ・Hokkaido Port Statistics
  • ・Sapporo Business and Industry Biographies

Appealing points to industry and local governments

Preservation of materials is a prerequisite for research on regional economic history. If there are any historical materials (regardless of the period) that are scheduled to be discarded by local governments, companies, organizations or other parties, we can survey (catalog) them. Although it is ideal to preserve the materials without discarding them, this is not always possible in reality. We would like to share our knowledge with the owners of the materials to preserve and utilize the valuable materials.

2022/5/27Released